26 hour flight with a 7 month old. Advice please!

[Turtlesmum]

I'm flying to NZ with my 7 month old. DH is not coming with us unfortunately. Have booked Air NZ as it was the shortest flight and despite stopover no plane changes or extended time in transit. I have booked and confirmed a bassinet.

DS is a good sleeper but I need advice on what to do with him when he's awake. Also he's formula fed and on solids so any tips on transporting his formula due to new security rules much appreciated.

Have you booked two seats? I really recommend this even though it's expensive. Maybe the airline has a discount for babies? The bassinets/ boxes that airlines provide need padding in the bottom or they're rock hard and not good for sleeping. So bring plenty of baby blankets or ask the staff for plenty of blankets. Might be worth bringing the baby's carseat to use instead of the bassinet, but this would only work if you have two seats. You'll possibly need a carseat at the other end too.

You would need to ask the airline about the formula and babyfood I believe most allow you to bring cans of powdered f and the little jars of food on board, plus all the bottles, etc the baby needs. I would imagine any airline flying to NZ would also be able to tell you details about cleaning bottles and paraphernalia on the plane, since almost all flights there would be long ones and I'm sure plenty of babies make the trip. You're going to have quite a big bag of supplies, with nappies, etc. too worth asking them about the baggage allowance; most airlines allow baby things plus your individual allowance. Bring along plenty of changes of clothes for baby and one or two for you too in case of feeding or poo disasters.

You'll be really worn out holding the baby while awake I wouldn't recommend letting him or her crawl anywhere on the floor, and maybe letting other passengers or the staff help out would be my advice. You'll need help from others when you go to the loo and when you're trying to eat accept any that's offered. A little baby of 7 mos could be sung to or amused with little board books and things to chew, bright or shiny things to look at and chew, paper to tear (in-flight magazine..), playing peep, etc., and little snacks can keep them happy too. Babies can get a bit dehydrated on a plane just as adults can, so maybe keep some water for the baby.